Apollo 16: The Complete Descent

Video from the channel Apollo Flight Journal about Apollo 16, linked on its Above Ten Thousand entry. Duration: 18:14. Language: English. Video type: Documentary.

Second-by-second reconstruction of the powered descent and landing of the Apollo 16 lunar module Orion in the Descartes highlands. It combines the subtitled air-to-ground communications recording, 16 mm film shot from the window during the final phases, a simulation of the descent, and altitude and pitch-angle graphs.

Apollo 16 was the second of three advanced missions focused on the scientific exploration of the Moon. After four landings on basaltic plains, a highland area between two bright craters north of the crater Descartes was chosen. Aboard Orion were commander John Young and lunar module pilot Charlie Duke.

Because of a six-hour delay, the descent began at about 66,000 feet instead of the planned 50,000 feet, the highest altitude at which a descent burn had been started. The video explains the computer's three programs: P63 for braking, lasting about nine minutes without a view of the ground; P64 for approach, with the pitchover that reveals the terrain and allows the landing point to be redesignated; and P66, which Young selected at around 500 feet to fly the craft manually. The pitchover occurred at about 8,200 feet, with the craters Gator and Lone Star in view. After touchdown, the crew estimated they were about 200 meters north and 150 meters west of the crater Double Spot.